When I first moved to Toyota City in Aichi Prefecture, the first social event I went to was dinner and drinks with fellow ALTs (Assistant Language Teachers). Another teacher who has lived in the area for a few years booked us in at Toyota City’s Yakiniku King Izakaya. This was to become my favourite restaurant in Toyota.

Yakiniku King Izakaya, Toyota City

An izakaya is a must-do for your visit to Japan. It’s in my top 3 reasons to go to Japan. You’ll be surprised at just how cheap it can be. If you go to an izakaya and get all-you-can-eat (tabehōdai) and all-you-can-drink (nomihōdai), you can walk out after 90 minutes paying as little as $30.

I first visited Yakiniku King Izakaya in Toyota City in early 2011, and have returned many times. Here, as the name describes, they specialise in yaki-niku (yaki = grilled, usually with a BBQ style sauce. Niku = meat) and it’s always delicious.